Cristopher Columbus Chapter 1 Summary
I am summarizing the first sub-division of chapter one, pages 1 through 7. The chapter begins talking about Christopher Columbus and how he was on the hunt for gold, so much so that he convinced the king and queen of Spain to finance an expedition for him promising to return with gold and spices from newly discovered land. However, during the voyage there, he stumbled upon The Americas where he then met the Arawak men and women, and the chapter then proceeds to explain their first encounters with Cristopher Columbus. When Columbus arrived he was greeted kindly with food, water, gifts and with amazing hospitality. Though he was greeted pleasantly one of the first things Columbus did was force the natives on ship with him, insisting they lead
him directly to the gold. From there, Columbus sailed to Cuba, where there were visible bits of gold in the river. After realizing this Columbus’s report back to the king and queen was incredible, stating there was beautiful fertile land and many rivers that contained gold and in it he asked for more assistance from them and said in return he would bring them all the gold they needed. This report led to his second expedition where he was given 17 ships and more than 1200 men. Columbus sent expeditions continually but no gold was found, yet he had to send some type of dividend back. This eventually led to the Arawak people being taken as slaves, but the conditions were too harsh causing men, women and children to die. Columbus still owed for what he was given, which then led to him forcing anyone 14 or older to search for gold constantly. This was an impossible task for the natives, so they tried to flee but were hunted down and killed and it got so bad that infant children were being killed to save them from Columbus and his people. When realizing there was no gold left the remaining Indians were taken as slave labor and eventually none of the Arawak’s or their descendants were left on the island. This section explained what life what like for the Arawak and how badly they were treated by the Spaniards on their search for gold.
him directly to the gold. From there, Columbus sailed to Cuba, where there were visible bits of gold in the river. After realizing this Columbus’s report back to the king and queen was incredible, stating there was beautiful fertile land and many rivers that contained gold and in it he asked for more assistance from them and said in return he would bring them all the gold they needed. This report led to his second expedition where he was given 17 ships and more than 1200 men. Columbus sent expeditions continually but no gold was found, yet he had to send some type of dividend back. This eventually led to the Arawak people being taken as slaves, but the conditions were too harsh causing men, women and children to die. Columbus still owed for what he was given, which then led to him forcing anyone 14 or older to search for gold constantly. This was an impossible task for the natives, so they tried to flee but were hunted down and killed and it got so bad that infant children were being killed to save them from Columbus and his people. When realizing there was no gold left the remaining Indians were taken as slave labor and eventually none of the Arawak’s or their descendants were left on the island. This section explained what life what like for the Arawak and how badly they were treated by the Spaniards on their search for gold.